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Captains return for AFL pre-season

Justin Chadwick And Sam Lienert

Round three of the AFL pre-season has effectively become "captain's round", with skippers Matthew Pavlich, Jonathan Brown, Nick Riewoldt and Adam Goodes all named to play their first games of the year.

And although former Carlton skipper Chris Judd is still a no-show, the Blues insist the star midfielder will be ready to go for round one of the season proper.

Fremantle's Pavlich, who underwent surgery on his hip, Achilles tendon and back during the off-season, was forced to sit out last week's 70-point loss to Carlton in case his heavily-pregnant wife went into labour.

The 279-game veteran welcomed a baby girl into the world on Wednesday night, and has been cleared to play against the Bulldogs in Mandurah on Saturday.

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"He's in really good nick," Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said on Thursday.

"He's ahead of schedule and we're thrilled to have him back."

Brisbane are a good chance to reach the pre-season grand final if they can beat Collingwood on Saturday night, and Brown's inclusion gives the Lions a welcome boost in attacking firepower.

The 'Pies, who are also undefeated, included premiership duo Tyson Goldsack and Nathan Brown.

Judd was left out of Carlton's Friday night showdown with Adelaide, but the 29-year-old will play next week in what will be either a pre-season grand final or a practice match.

The Crows welcome back Jared Petrenko (shoulder) and Sam Shaw (knee) from injury, while Rory Sloane, Daniel Talia and Ian Callinan also return after being rested last week.

Goodes will play his first match since tearing the posterior cruciate ligament in his knee during Sydney's grand final triumph over Hawthorn.

The 33-year-old is expected to only play half the game against Gold Coast, while Rhyce Shaw (calf) will be another premiership star on the comeback trail.

Riewoldt and Lenny Hayes are among a host of stars to return for the Saints in their encounter with Melbourne on Saturday.

And Geelong skipper Joel Selwood headlines a raft of returns for the Cats, who also welcome back Tom Hawkins, Joel Corey, Paul Chapman and Tom Lonergan for the match against North Melbourne on Saturday.

North Melbourne's bid to reach the grand final was boosted by the returns of captain Andrew Swallow, vice-captain Drew Petrie and midfielder Leigh Adams.

Hawthorn opted to rest star forward Lance Franklin for the match against Richmond in Tasmania, but included Shaun Burgoyne, Grant Birchall and Xavier Ellis.

Richmond recruit Troy Chaplin, who only recently recovered from knee surgery, will only play half a game for his new club.

Essendon included Tayte Pears, Kyle Hardingham and veteran Nathan Lovett-Murray in their squad to take on Greater Western Sydney on Friday night.

And West Coast vice-captain Beau Waters has recovered from post-season hip surgery and will play Port Adelaide in Alice Springs on Saturday.